My tiny balcony, in honor of the first day of summer!

I love hot, hot heat, which is one of the many reasons I love summer. Summer came in with a bang today here in Maryland, at a therapeutic 96 degrees. Whether you love heat or not, having a beautiful outdoor space is a great way to spend more time outside. A great way to make it more inviting is through items you'd usually only use indoors, such as pillows, curtains, and rugs.

My little balcony is nothing too special, at only 13 x 5 ft, and with some cheap plastic furnishing. However, we have dressed it up with some handmade flower boxes containing geraniums and sweet potato vines, and several succulents.

I was also lucky enough to receive a pair of gorgeous indoor/outdoor pillows to review. The pillows are from Pillow Perfect, and I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the outdoor fabric was. I was expecting it to be stiff and rough, but you can't tell that they are any different than indoor pillows.

My balcony and the pillows are seen below

This set are the pillows I have.  The colors of the photograph above, which is from the Pillow Perfect website, are much more accurate than my photos.  I am in dire need of a new camera, as mine makes the pillows look more green than they really are.


Other than INCREDIBLE prices, Pillow Perfect offers pillows and cushions in some of the best, on-trend designer fabrics, such as Thomas Paul.

If your outdoor space is in need of some beautifying, Pillow Perfect has a great selection as really good prices.

 How have you made your outdoor space a beautiful, comfortable extension of your home?

 disclosure*: I received pillows from Pillow Perfect as a sample

My latest crush: Blackband Home & Design. One FAB porthole mirror, and a little peek at my apartment..

I'm giddy today as I am sharing with you the newest addition to casa de Ashley, the gorgeous Porthole Mirror. Convex and framed out with a painstakingly detailed antique gold finish, the mirror was inspired by an antique discovered by the brilliant minds over at Blackband, so the piece is truly a very special replica. The gold is a perfect compliment to my robin's egg blue walls.

*Swoon! I love it!

It really turned out to be a perfect addition to my space - I couldn't be happier.

A close up of the detailing that went into getting the perfect patina.

I thought the cloche bell jar was a nice complement to the convex surface of the mirror.

I found an abandoned robin's egg, so I emptied it and brought it home to see if I could find a place for it in my apartment.  I also had some feathers from our guinea fowl, so I strung them both up in the cloche as an objet d'art.  What do you think?

Getting back to Blackband, here's a little bit more about them:

"Wendy Blackband, co-owner of Blackband Design, is one of Southern California's most sought-after designers; known for her eclectic take on coastal elegance. A California native, Wendy grew up on Balboa Island and has traveled and lived in Africa, Spain, Australia and South America. Her style inspiration has been influenced by vibrant colors and foreign cultures that punctuate her fresh and
distinctive "Coastal Bohemian" look. 

Blackband Design enjoys a well-deserved reputation for fair pricing, exceptional client service, and a personalized approach for every project, regardless of scope."

Here are a few more goodies from Blackband's online store that I have my eye on:

 Vintage wine jugs.

 Red coral (this would also look great with my light blue walls)

 White and blue lamp.  Love it.

Blackband also does interior design and showcasing.

This might possibly be my dream bed.


Want to see more? Go to Blackband Design to shop online and see more of their work.


 disclosure*: I received the mirror as a sample from Blackband Design

A pretty, clean-burning candle, and a lovely little giveaway...

I'm not a huge candle person, but I do like to have some lit for special dinners, guests, and a relaxing soak in the tub.  One of the main things that bugs me about candles though, is how unevenly they burn, leaving me left with a huge chunk of wax.  Which is why I wanted to give a special shout out to Crash Natural Soy Candles.  I have been burning one of their 100% natural soy wax candles for for 6 months now, and it's made a believer out of me.  The candle really does burn much more cleanly, smells lovely, and amazing- the wax stays even.  No more burning your fingers trying to light a wick inches below the wax surface.

The wax actually reminds me of milk a little bit... I wanted to do some research to see if soy wax actually is better, and I found this article on Mother Nature Network. The article states: "Candle wax is made from the petroleum byproduct, paraffin. Burning a paraffin wax candle, even if it smells like scrumptious apple pie, is like inviting a diesel truck into your home to let off some exhaust … the soot from both diesel fuel and paraffin wax contains a noxious mix of carcinogenic petro-carbon nastiness that can mess with your health, blacken the inside of your home, and emit toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene. Gross. And as you probably know, petroleum isn’t exactly renewable.

Vegetable-based soy wax isn’t 100 percent perfect (as with many agricultural products) but it’s a heck of a lot better than “gas wax.” They’re longer burning (with none of that soot), come in just as many tantalizing scents, and often the companies who produce soy candles go all out by using recycled-content packaging and lead-free paper/cotton wicks. Most candle shops and home boutiques should carry soy candle lines and if they don’t, make a request. Just make sure they’re 100 percent soy wax."

One lucky reader will receive a Crash Candle, in a glass designed by Angela Adams. The winner will get "Beach Rose" a lovely peppered rose scent in a 7.5 oz decorative glass.

If you'd like a chance to win the just like Crash Candles on Facebook, and then leave a comment on this post! You have until May 29th, 6 PM EST to like them and leave a comment. Good luck!

You can also shop their selection and find out more about Crash on their site.

*disclosure:  I received a candle from Crash as a sample

A unique online boutique and a generous coupon code for Decorology readers!

Today I'm introducing a great little online boutique, Lafayette and Rushford, which has graciously offered an amazing 30% discount for all Decorology readers!   Just enter DECOR30 at checkout.

They were also awesome enough to send me a sample product and share my findings with you.   I got to try out the Caldrea Countertop Cleanser in Sea Salt Neroli.  The only other Caldrea product I've used before is there Lavender Pine Hand Lotion, which I really liked (it really lasted a long time too - a little went a long way).  I had high expectations for the countertop cleaner going in and it didn't disappoint.  I actually ended up using the cleaner for everything from cleaning my counters and cabinets to wiping out drawers around my house because the sent was so lovely and the product did such a good job.  The scent also lasts a surprisingly long time.  I could walk in the room where I used the cleaner and still smell neroli up to two days later.  Like the lavender pine hand lotion, a little seems to go a really long way.  Another secret, nothing has gotten my oven temperature knobs as clean as this stuff.  I was surprised, so I looked into the ingredients (which are all natural), and saw the ingredient "birch bark extract, nature's best degreaser."  In summary, the Caldrea Countertop Cleanser in Sea Salt Neroli has a luxurious, therapeutic scent, is derived from plant-derived, natural cleaning ingredients, and best of all, works.

The pretty package design is a nice bonus too!

Here are other Lafayette and Rushford products I have my eye on...

It would be impossible not to notice these beautiful, sculptural flower vases...

 Or this driftwood candelabra...

I've had my eye on similar chargers, but they offer these water hyacinth charges in more colors!

Aren't these little flower blossoms the cutest?

If any of these strike your fancy, head over to Lafayette and Rushford to see more, and don't forget to use DECOR30 at checkout if you decide to treat yourself!
 
*disclosure: this post is sponsored by Lafayette and Rushford, and I received Caldrea Countertop Cleanser as a sample

Gorgeous curtains and a very generous discount for you!

I don't know much about window treatments - but I have witnessed how they can completely make a room - adding that finishing touch to what was otherwise a room "missing" something. I was lucky enough to get to try out a gorgeous set of curtains by DKNY Home, courtesy of the awesome folks at Curtainworks. The images depicting the curtains were spot on to how the curtains look in person. I love the effect of all the flowers falling to the bottom of the panel.

Now you can get any curtains of your choosing from Curtainworks with this 25% off coupon code - CWB5. If you need a better reason then just a seasonal makeover, hanging heavier drapes during the winter can help keep the cold out and save money on your heating bills! The coupon code expires on 1/31/2011.

These are the curtains I chose. I normally don't lean toward red, but thought I'd take a chance.

This room is just a temporary home until I move in February.



A close up of the embroidered flowers above the printed flowers.

I also have a DKNYHOME.com 25% off coupon code for you, DKHB3, expires 1/31/2011


Enjoy!

disclosure: These curtains were received as a sample

Has anyone tried flameless/battery operated candles?

Well, I hadn't until recently. I'd seen tiny LED tealights in restaurants but I'd never been crazy about them because they had the fake flame shaped bulb. The one Enjoy Lighting sent to me is definitely many steps up I have to say. Mostly, I was impressed by how real the candle itself looked and felt. It's made of wax and resin, and the surface definitely feels like wax.

Another thing I really liked is that the candle can be programmed to automatically turn off after 4 or 8 hours. This is nice if you often fall asleep with candles burning - which also causes a huge fire risk - which these candles don't have. So for those of you who have a habit of leaving candles unattended, or have kiddies, or fall asleep with candles burning - these are a good solution. I was also impressed by the flickering affect created by the 3 tiny LED lights in the candle.


Here are some pics I took of my candle -




from directly overhead

In pitch dark. These candles are not quite as bright as real candles, which one of my only complaints. If you are seeking real illumination be sure to get several candles. The only other drawback for the model I had is that it requires 4 batteries.

Here are some much better photos from the site:




Go to Enjoy Lighting to learn more.


Disclosure: I received this Enjoy Lighting product as a sample.


Sorry I just had to include this pic of my pups -

Remi in the passenger seat, Storm in the drivers seat. They love to make the rounds when it's feeding time for the livestock.

A super yummy (and healthy!) banana bread recipe I just tried

So I am not much of a cook, but I do like to bake (mostly I like the eating part). I had nine frozen bananas, baking staples, and a newly designed Pyrex® measuring cup to try out. So I figured I'd pair this product review with a great recipe. Pyrex® sent me a new spin on their glass measuring cups, with a more funnel shaped design, a non-skid rubber base, and the ability to read the measuring lines from above and inside the cup. Here's there description:

"Providing convenience beyond measure, the new Pyrex® Read from Above™ Glass Measuring Cups offer several smart features, including:

* Read-from-above measure marks – no more bending over or lifting up required to check your measurements
* Silicone-covered bases for better grip on work surfaces (on selected designs)
* Nested designs for easy storage
* Non-porous glass that won’t absorb stains or odors
* Microwave safe for everyday convenience

* Multi-position, BPA-free lids so you can mix, stir, pour, strain and sprinkle with one tool (COMING SOON!)"


Here's a view of the easier to read measuring graphics from above


Got my ingredients ready to go

The spoons on the left bottom corner are from Pyrex too - my dad thought they were "cool," because they are magnetic so they all stay together in the drawer.

I didn't end up with as much batter as I thought - I should have just put it all in one pan.

mmmm....the bread turned out moist and dense.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup brown sugar
  
• 3/4 cup flax seed meal
• 5 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1/4 organic plain low fat yogurt
  
• 2 teaspoons egg whites
• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar blend, flax meal, bananas, milk, sour cream and egg whites until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the banana mixture until moistened. Spoon into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the crown of the loaf comes out clean.

The original recipe is here, I made a few alterations based on the ingredients I had on hand

Disclosure: I received these Pyrex® products as a sample.

Mini makeover for my home office

As some of you know I work from home - well, at my parent's house - while I'm getting my web design business off the ground. Since I'm limited in how much I can alter the appearance of the room since the space and the furnishings belong to my parents, I focus on keeping it as organized and functional as possible. I was lucky enough to be contacted by the folks at Command products from 3M asking if I'd be willing to test out some of their adhesive hooks, picture hangers, and other goodies an organization junkie like me goes gaga for. Of course I agreed and below you can see how I completed two office projects.

On a side note, I was surprised when I found these chic metal hooks! White plastic doesn't always fit into everyone's decor, so they were smart to create these stylish options.


Okay. So the two projects I needed to do were to find some solution to the absolute mess of cords on my desk from my speakers, backup drive, and extra monitor, and to hang my inspiration board.

Below: My cords


The 3M Command problem solver, medium cord clips


First thing I did was bundle up any cord slack and secure them with white twisty ties. (Most of my cords are white so I chose white). Make sure you leave enough loose cord to reach the electronic or outlet it's associated with.

Plan carefully and mark with a pencil if necessary where you'll place the hook. Wipe down the surface of the wall or furniture with rubbing alcohol, and allow to dry, before applying the hook.
Another thing I never knew about the adhesives is that before hanging anything on them, let them set for an hour.

My results aren't particularly pretty, but much more orderly. Now I need a table skirt to hide the cords!

The cord clips work great!

The next project was to hang my inspiration board. I decided to use these Damage Free Hanging Strips, which are similar to velcro - but much stronger. They have an adhesive side that go on the wall, and an adhesive side which stick to the frame.




I've wiped down the wall, marked where the board will go, and applied the hanging strips.


I then mounted and pressed the board to the wall. Unfortunately it fell about 30 mins later. In all fairness to the strips - I made a few mistakes that I'm sure affected the results. I didn't really read the directions thoroughly, and didn't press firmly for a full 30 seconds - completely forgot to wait an hour before hanging (I'm sure this was what did me in), and I didn't apply the strips to the frame at all, but attached them to the strips on the wall. Also, this wall is actually has a plaster texture, so the surface wasn't completely smooth.

Good news is, I used another hanging product -
I followed the directions to a T and it did the trick!

As a whole, I think these no-damage Command products are ideal for renters who don't want to put holes in walls, or those who want the option to move things around without having to patch holes. Also - don't make my mistake - read the directions! Also, save the packaging or go to the Command site for removal instructions.

See some pretty and practical inspiration at the Command site.


Disclosure: I received these Command 3M products as a sample